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MLB News & Moments You Should Know: 9/09/2024

Who needs football?

Pablo Figueroa
MLB Morning News 9/9/2024

Stay updated on everything baseball with our morning MLB News & Moments articles. We’ve got you covered to keep you in the know.

Today’s Headlines

 

The Pavin Smith Game

 

Pavin Smith entered today’s contest with four homers and 18 RBI in 2024 as a part-time player for the Dbacks. He almost matched that production in three trips to the plate in prime time, as he clobbered a three-run homer in the second, a grand slam in the third, and added a solo shot for good measure in the fifth. The first two dingers came against Justin Verlander, whose ERA rose to 5.30 as he has become a real worry for the Astros. Smith would get two chances to tie the all-time record of four homers in a game, last achieved by JD Martinez in 2017. Alas, his last two plate appearances netted a strikeout and a walk, giving Smith a final line of three runs, eight RBI, and a night to remember. While Houston made a game out of it, Arizona still cruised to a 12-6 win.

 

A 50/50 Chance 

 

As the Dodgers regained the #1 seed in the NL with their 86th win of the season, Shohei Ohtani inched ever closer to the first 50/50 campaign in MLB history. With a slim 1-0 lead in the fifth, Ohtani unloaded on a pitch from Tanner Bibee that had the distance but barely stayed fair inside the foul pole. After video confirmation from the umpires, the blast was estimated at 450 feet and marked his 46th dinger of the season, which tied his career high and also established a new personal best with 101 RBI. Ohtani stands at 46/46 with 19 games to go, making the milestone almost inevitable. While Shohei’s pursuit grabbed the headlines, just as importantly for LA, Jack Flaherty delivered another gem with 7.1 scoreless innings, as he could become the team’s #1 option in the postseason.

 

East Side Story

 

The battle for the NL’s final wild card spot had another exciting chapter, as Atlanta and the Mets finished the day tied in the standings. In a close contest that was decided in the ninth, the Mets saw their nine-game winning streak come to an end against the Reds, while Atlanta needed 11 innings to stave off the Blue Jays. The latter’s win was more dramatic than originally expected, as Chris Sale delivered yet another gem but the bullpen blew the lead and needed the offense to bail it out and take the game to extras. Even as Toronto took another lead, Atlanta rallied and won the game on a walk-off fielder’s choice. While there is a possibility that both teams can overtake Arizona or San Diego and give the East three playoff participants, the most likely scenario is that only one of them makes it. The looming head-to-head series from September 24 to the 26th could end up becoming a massive event in Queens.

 

Best Moments From Yesterday

 

Wacha-Wacha 

 

Kansas City’s late-season swoon appears to be officially over as the team looks well on its way to their first October since 2015. Today’s shutout win over the Twins completed the sweep and extended their win streak to four games, finally creating some separation in the wild card standings while keeping hopes alive for the AL Central title. The 2-0 victory was highlighted by Michael Wacha’s stellar performance, as the veteran spun seven scoreless innings with only four hits and a walk allowed, versus seven strikeouts. It marked his 100th career win, while the Royals did barely enough on offense to secure the win.

 

 

A Giant Inning

 

Padres starter Joe Musgrove was cruising through the start of today’s game, retiring the first ten batters he faced with tremendous ease. Needing only 38 pitches while striking out six, it looked as if Musgrove was in line for another gem. However, Fernando Tatis Jr. lost a fly ball in the sun and allowed it to drop, and with the ball scored as a double for Heliot Ramos, the floodgates opened. The offensively challenged Giants suddenly became unstoppable, racking up six additional hits in succession, including homers from Matt Chapman, Jerar Encarnación, and Luis Matos to give San Francisco a 6-0 lead. While the bullpen and shoddy defense would give the Padres late life, their comeback bid fell just short and the Giants left Petco Park with a 7-6 win.

 

 

Tiger Kings

 

Despite looking like an afterthought (outside of Tarik Skubal’s heroics) for most of the season, it appears that the Detroit Tigers may still have some life left in the playoff race. Despite having to use another bullpen game, the Tigers won for the 11th time in their past 16 games, steamrolling the A’s by a 9-1 score. Detroit rode a 16-hit performance and strong pitching for the easy win, which has placed them only 3.5 games behind the Twins for the final AL wild card spot. While the Mariners also have the same record, the optics for both teams couldn’t be further apart, as the Tigers could ride this hot stretch towards the final week. While they have a tough home-and-home remaining against Baltimore, they also get to face the Rockies and White Sox three times apiece.

 

 

Something Cookin’ 

 

25-year-old prospect Billy Cook is such an under-the-radar player that he still doesn’t have a picture in the MLB Gameday app, but today he made a major first impression for the Pirates. In the first inning of today’s contest against Washington, Cook was not afraid of leaping into the netting to make an impressive catch, and then added a two-run double in the bottom half for his first career hit. Pittsburgh would go on to win 7-3, giving Cook an all-around memorable debut.

 

 

For Privacy’s Sake, Let’s Call Him Ian Simpson

 

This weekend’s series between the Yankees and Cubs saw runs come at a premium, with a grand total of eight between scored during the three games. With today’s game hanging in the balance and Chicago clinging to a 2-1 lead, Austin Wells hit a ball deep into left field that looked certain to become an extra-base hit. Instead, Ian Happ leaped masterfully into the legendary Wrigley ivy to catch the ball and end the threat. The still picture of Happ stuck in the foliage reminded us of a classic TV show that tends to predict future events.

 

Injuries and Other Moves

 

⚾ Rockies manager Bud Black updated reporters on the status of Kris Bryant, as the slugger has been on the IL since early August. While he was originally expected to return at some point this seasons, it appears that the team will be cautious and shut him down completely. This would mean that Bryant’s season included only 37 games in which he provided a meager .624 OPS. At this rate, Bryant’s contract may end up as the worst of the 21st century. 

⚾ Despite being all but eliminated from the playoffs, the Rangers are planning to return Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer to their rotation before the end of 2024. As both Cy Young winners have completed their rehab stints in the Minors, they could be part of next weekend’s series against the Mariners. While Scherzer made a few appearances this season, for deGrom it would represent his first MLB action since April 2023. 

 

Articles You Should Read

 

Hopes and Skenes — Matt Martell, Fangraphs

Is This the Best Non-MVP Season Ever? — Mike Petriello, MLB.com

 

Fantasy Baseball Coverage

Week 24: The Stash List

Week 24 FAAB Insights

Week 24: Hitters to Start and Avoid

Pablo Figueroa

Pablo Figueroa is a Baseball Writer here at Pitcher List, with experience as a writer since 2013. He lives in Aguascalientes, Mexico - proud home of Los Rieleros. When he´s not thinking about baseball , he's a husband, owns two dogs, watches random episodes of The Sopranos , plays padel, and works on his day job to pay the bills.

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